Jessie Pope
WHEN the beagles are running like steam,
When the plough is as sticky as glue,
When the scent is an absolute scream,
And there’s wire in the fence to get through
Who waits to look after his pal ?
Hung up? then he’s out of the fun.
Torn, muddy, and blown, every man on his own
That’s the time-honoured rule of the run.
There’s wire in the fences of France.
There are bullets that whistle and spit.
The word goes along to advance,
And the wire clutches somebody’s kit.
” Hold hard ! I’ll unhook you, old chap.
No hurry. Oh, rubbish What rot!”
Shots patter and thud, shells burst in the mud.
” Don’t pull ! Now, you’re clear no, you’re not!”
Well, that is how the business is done.
A sportsman will brook no delay,
With hounds it’s life and death run,
He’s out for himself all the way.
But when black Eternity gapes
There’s time and there’s patience enough.
A case of ‘ware wire, and a pal under fire
” No hurry ” that’s British-made stuff !
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Analysis (AI Assisted)
This war poem plays with the theme of camaraderie, endurance, and the instinctive reaction of a soldier in the heat of battle, juxtaposing it with a sportsmanlike attitude toward both hunting and war. Through this comparison, the poem highlights a certain British attitude towards hardship—resilience, self-reliance, and a strong sense of duty to those around you, even when faced with imminent danger.
The first stanza sets up the comparison between war and a hunting scene. The mention of “beagles running like steam” and “the plough is as sticky as glue” creates a lively, almost nostalgic image of a rural hunting day, filled with mud, excitement, and camaraderie. But the playful nature of the hunt quickly takes a dark turn with the mention of “wire in the fence” and the description of a man being left “hung up” and isolated in the process. The poem introduces the idea of “every man on his own” in the most crucial moments—there’s no room for delay, and only the fast and resolute survive.
The second stanza shifts to the battlefield in France, with wire fences replaced by the more literal and deadly kind—those that soldiers have to navigate while under enemy fire. The connection to hunting is maintained with references to “the word goes along to advance” and the familiarity of being “out for himself all the way,” much like a sportsman in pursuit of a prize. But in this setting, the stakes are much higher—there’s no time for the “unhooking” of one’s comrades when bullets are “whistling and spitting.” Despite the apparent urgency, the poem takes a turn toward the grim humor and pragmatism that soldiers often express in the face of danger. The line “Hold hard! I’ll unhook you, old chap. No hurry. Oh, rubbish. What rot!” captures this contradiction: in the midst of chaotic warfare, there is still a kind of British nonchalance toward peril, as soldiers prioritize practicality and the reassurance of working together under pressure.
The final stanza reinforces the theme of the poem—the calm endurance that comes with the British spirit. The lines “No hurry, that’s British-made stuff!” suggest that even in the most trying circumstances, there is a form of self-assurance and stoicism that prevails. The soldier’s reaction to a pal “under fire” is to make sure the job is done right, even if it means slowing down in the face of danger. This attitude reflects the characteristic “stiff upper lip” often associated with British soldiers, where maintaining control over one’s emotions is as vital as the physical task at hand. The emphasis on patience and care, even when it seems counterproductive, suggests a deeper bond between soldiers—one built on mutual trust and understanding.
While the poem uses the metaphor of hunting, it doesn’t shy away from the brutal realities of war, recognizing the danger and the death that accompany it. The “sportsman” in this case is not someone eager to outpace or outdo others for the thrill of the chase, but someone who knows the value of working carefully and together, no matter how harrowing the situation may be.
The imagery in the poem is vivid and straightforward. The wire in the fences of France, the “pattering” bullets, the mud, and the shells bursting—all evoke a gritty, immediate picture of the battlefield. There’s no glorification of war here, but there’s an emphasis on how the soldier’s behavior in the heat of the moment is shaped by experience and training. The tone is a blend of gritty realism and wry humor, which reflects a soldier’s way of coping with the absurdities of war.
In the end, this poem serves as a reflection on the complexities of war and the nature of human endurance. It plays with the metaphor of a hunt but quickly shifts the focus to the deeper, more essential human behavior required in times of danger: looking after each other, staying calm, and getting the job done even when it seems impossible. The ultimate message seems to be that war—like the hunt—is often a matter of sheer survival, but also about the human connections that allow us to face it head-on.